Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island - QEH Foundation Vice Chair Barbara Smith unveiled today with help from Eastlink Co-CEO Dan McKeen Eastlink at the Platinum Level ($2 million +) on the donor wall that is located in the front lobby of the hospital.

"This year marks the 10th anniversary of the 21 Hour Equipment Drive and we are so pleased to acknowledge Eastlink at this new level," said Barbara Smith. "Eastlink's broadcast of this event is very important to everyone on Prince Edward Island. Thank you for your tremendous support."

"Eastlink remains committed to broadcasting and supporting the QEH Foundation as it works to raise monies to purchase new medical equipment for Prince Edward Island," said Dan McKeen, Co-CEO, Eastlink. "We have been a proud supporter of the 21- Hour Equipment Drive for the past nine years and recognize how important it is that Islanders get the medical equipment they need. To help ensure this happens and to celebrate 10 great years of working together, we are pleased to present the QEH Foundation with a cheque for $10,000."

Funds raised from this year's equipment drive will be used to purchase new medical eye equipment for Prince Edward Island's hospital. All Islanders requiring specialized eye are referred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for their care.

"Through this weekend event, we are hoping Islanders will help us purchase four new pieces of state-of-the-art equipment," said Dr. Guy Boswall, QEH Ophthalmologist. "New technology will allow us to view parts of the eye that we have not been able to see before. We perform about 900 cataract surgeries at the QEH each year and a new ophthalmology microscope will improve visualization for surgeons during the cataract surgery. Other eye conditions that are treated here include Diabetic eye disease, age related macular degeneration and glaucoma. This new equipment will help us serve Islanders better."

"We are so proud of our relationship with Eastlink," said Barbara Smith. "We are Prince Edward Island's hospital. With the help of Eastlink each year, we are able to reach almost every community on Prince Edward Island and profile the Island's best entertainment. Patients have the opportunity to share their experiences about the care they received and community leaders do their part by reading pledges, doing cheque presentations and answering phones. Most importantly, it's the generosity of Islanders who make the event a success. It's a winning combination that just keeps getting better and better each year."

Eastlink employees and volunteers play an important role in the success of each year's telethon. Last year over 300 volunteers played a role in the telethon's success helping raise more than $444,777.

The Eastlink 21-Hour Equipment Drive, hosted by Marlene MacDonald, will be held Saturday April 29 from Noon until Midnight and from 9AM until 6PM on Sunday, April 30. Everyone is encouraged to call in a pledge at 1-877-6pledge or to bid on an item from the auction at 1-877-252-3303.

About Eastlink
Operating from its headquarters in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Eastlink is the fifth largest cable company in Canada and was the first to offer customers local telephone service over a state-of-the-art digital network. Eastlink's employees provide a range of communications, entertainment & advertising services to business and residential customers across the Maritimes. For more information on Eastlink and its products and services, visit www.eastlink.ca.